The Rugaroo

Though lore of this creature has been spread throughout both French and Native American lore, the Rugaroo (sometimes spelled Roogaroo, Rougarou, Roux-Ga-Roux, Rugaru, or Ruggaroo) is our next peek into some of the Native American culture and legends.
Versions of the Rugaroo vary from something similar to a mild Bigfoot-type creatures to cannibalistic Native American Wendigos. Some dispute the connection between Native American folktales and the francophone Rugaru. (2)

Just as the Wendigo is part of the traditional belief systems of various Algonquian-speaking tribes in the northern US and Canada, the Rugaroo is an extremely similar tale of metamorphosis triggered the cannibalism among the Ojibwe and Chippewa. As is the norm with legends transmitted by oral tradition, stories often contradict one another. The stories of the Wendigo vary by tribe and region, but the most common cause of the change is typically related to cannibalism. (2) A modified example, not in the original wendigo legends, is that of a motif of harmful sensation story—if a person sees a rugaru, that person will be transformed into one.

Author Peter Matthiessen argues that the rugaru is a separate legend from that of the cannibal-like giant Wendigo. While the Wendigo is feared, he notes that the Rugaroo is seen as sacred and in tune with Mother Earth, somewhat like Bigfoot legends are today. (3)

It is important to note that rugaru is not a native Ojibwa word, nor is it derived from the languages of neighboring Native American peoples. However, it has a striking similarity to the French word for werewolf, loup garou. (2) Aka: the werewolf. But the Native American lore suggests that unlike the Loup Garou (who are limited to the form of a wolf and in some lore more are specifically triggered by full moons with limited or uncontrolled shifting), a Rugaroo can take on any animal form and can shapeshift at any time, multiple times. (1)

Sources:
1. Associated content : L. Lee Scott
2. Wikipedia: Rougarou
3. Peter Matthiessen

Bigfoot Lost.

The previously mentioned claims of an actual Bigfoot carcass (Here) were called out by many, and have now been found to be a hoax. Big surprise there. The alleged claims, of both carcass and DNA, appear to have been forged. At least, that is the official story.
Underground sources suggest that the authenticity of this corpse was legitimate, but do to mass skepticism and the discrediting discovering parties, the claims were dismissed. They were said the be covered up by an organization called the "Brotherhood of Bigfoot Protectors". More on the actuality of a cover-up will be given later, I am sure, but until then, we shall stick to the basic strategy and generation of this hoax.
Most sources are claiming that the frozen carcass of bigfoot, see here, is actually an alteration of the internet-born costume, seen here. It appeasrs that the origin of this costume has not been confirmed, however. According to CNN, the hoax was discovered after an "expedited melting process," Kulls wrote. "A break appeared up near the feet area ... as the team and I began examining this area near the feet, I observed the foot which looked unnatural, reached in and confirmed it was a rubber foot." (1) Later that day, Tom Biscardi informed them that both Matthew Whitton and Ricky Dyer admitted it was a costume.

Sources:
CNN.com
Anonymous
Costume picture from: Thehorrordome.com
Carcass picture from: cryptomundo.com

Bigfoot Found?

Look at this photo and what do you see? Well, many (including the people responsible for the submission of it) claim that this is undeniable proof that mythical Bigfoot does in fact exist.

Similar to the above, there is an alleged photo of a Bigfoot carcass about to be releases by three men in the US. They claim that this discovery is providing undeniable proof of the creatures existence, even now with pending DNA results. (More about Bigfoot here) This now frozen carcass has been well described in the press-release: Male, 7'7'' high, +500lbs, reddish hair, blackish-grey eyes, human-like teeth, its footprint is sixteen and three-quarters inches long and five and three-quarters inches wide at the heel. (3)

Matthew Whitton and Rick Dyer, Georgia residents who lead Bigfoot-tracking expeditions, say they found the body of what appears to be a Bigfoot in the woods of northern Georgia and will join local Bigfoot researcher Tom Biscardi at the news conference, according to Robert Barrows, who is publicizing the event. The three men plan to release a photo of their Bigfoot and what they claim is DNA evidence at a news conference in Palo Alto on August 15th. (2)

DNA evidence and photo evidence of the creature will be presented in a press conference on Friday, August 15th from 12 Noon to 1:00pm at the Cabana Hotel-Palo Alto at 4290 El Camino Real in Palo Alto, California, 94306. The press conference will not be open to the public. It will only be open to credentialed members of the press.

Whitton, a police officer in Clayton County, and Dyer, a former correctional officer, are not saying exactly where the body was found or where it is now. Biscardi, a veteran Bigfoot tracker who went to Georgia to view the find over the weekend, said that DNA tests are being conducted and a team of scientists will study the body, but declined to name any scientists involved. (1)

Officials from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division said the largest wildlife they are aware of in the state are black bears and white-tail deer.
Deer. Sure.

Source(s):
1. Source 1
2. Source 2
3. Source 3
Photo From: Cryptomundo

Cryptozoology

Cryptozoology is defined as the study of evidence concerning creatures whose existence is uncertain. It is a profession regarded with mixed emotions among experts, but to some it is a very serious profession.

ParanormalUnknown's Creature Feature:
(Creatures previously covered in blog entries)
- Bigfoot
- Mongolian Death Worms
- Wendigos
- Rugaroos

Related:
- Flying Humanoids

Cryptozoology Sources:
http://www.cryptozoology.com/
http://cryptoworld.co.uk/
http://www.newanimal.org/
http://www.crystalinks.com/cryptozoology.html

Keep checking the most recent updates and resources on Cryptozoology!

Mongolian Death Worn

Science Fiction creatures like the giant Sandworms of Frank Herbert's Dune may seem like a true stretch of the imagination, but there are tales that suspect otherwise. Enter the world of the Mongolian Death Worm, AKA: The Intestine Worm.

What is The Mongolian Death Worm?
It's a giant worm that causes death. *insert evil laughter here*
Alright, for those of you who are still interested, the Mongolian Death Worm is a creature located in the Gobi dessert of Southern Mongolia. For generations, natives of the area have sworn to the reality of the creature they call Allghoi khorkhoi, which literally translates to "Intestine Worm". These Intestine Worms are the legendary inhabitants of the Gobi Dessert, and have almost only spoken of through out mythology and folklore through the area's culture, as one has never been known to have been captured. However, eyewitness accounts by locals and investigators claim otherwise.

What does The Mongolian Death Worm look like?
Several experts and Cryptozoologists, including Czech Explorer Ivan Mackerle, attest to a particular description of this creature. The Mongolian Death Worm is said to be a large, dark red, worm-like creature that is estimated to be over a meter in length and roughly 2 inches thick. It is also referred to as the "intestine worm" because it is said the resemble the description of a cow intestine, distinguished by both color and shape. It's rear tail is short, but not tapered, with no visible facial features. Thus making identification between the rear and head extremely difficult. Descriptions of it's movement vary between that of a sidewinder and something similar to a barrel-roll. Said to only be visible during the hottest months of the year and likes to surface after rain, while the ground is still wet. It is said to be dormant at all other times of the year.
According to the locals, the Intestine Worm is said to have the ability to spray an acid-like liquid that causes instant paralysis and most time death. It is also said that the creature has the ability to kill from a distance with an odd form of electrical discharge. (Worm sign, to all you Dune fans out there. hehe) Those who claim to have seen the worm have described it as being deep, blood-red, in color and measuring between two and five feet long.

Possibly expanations or related creatures?
Regarding the local tales of acid-spray and electric shock emanating from the Intestin Worm suggest two associated creatures. The first would be the Electrick-Eel, which contrary to popular belief is not an Eel at all. The second is the Spitting Cobra, and other similar snakes, which have the ability to spray blinding venom accurately up to 10 meters away.

Is there anyone out there crazy enough to look into this?
Well, if you're reading this blog, you can add yourself to the many. There have recently been attempts at genuine research and investigation concerning the creature, similar to the search for other Cryptozoological entities like Bigfoot. Though it lacks the authenticity of the legendary Lochness Monster, and other like phenomena, Intestine Worms are still on the Cryptozoological list of unknown species and therefore should be subject to research and investigation just as prevalently as other proposals.
In 2005 there was an investigation conducted by British scientists in an attempt to produce scientific proof that the Intestine Worm was a genuine phenomena. After four painstaking week in the middle of the scorching dessert, the team returned, convinced that there were in fact creatures like the Intestine Worms in the vicinity. Interestingly enough, the team did not find any trace of the Death worm, however they did discover two animals previously unknown to science: a dragon-like lizard and a two-meter-long horned snake.

You can find out more about Operation Death Worm (2, 3) and the Intestine Worm at the links below.

Source(s):
1. http://www.yourparanormal.co.uk/mongolian-death-worm/
2. http://paranormal.about.com/od/othercreatures/a/aa053005.htm
3. http://cryptoworld.co.uk/projects/operation-deathworm-1/

Legend Tripping

What is legend tripping?
Legend tripping (AKA: Ostenstion) has become a popular modern day pastime by avid folklorists, intrigued anthropologists, and everyone from the average adolescent to the skeptical. However, the theory of legend tripping has been around for years, even Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, which contains several accounts of adolescents visiting allegedly haunted houses and caves, is a good example.
Legend tripping has recently been popularized by shows like Ghost Hunters, Ghost Hunters International, Weird Travels, Most Haunted, Paranormal, etc. Note that legend tripping is not necessarily ghost hunting. It can result in ghost hunting, but you do not have to have the equipment required for effective ghost hunting in order to go legend tripping.
Legend tripping is a term used to describe nocturnal pilgrimages to a places that have alleged scenes of some tragic, horrific, and possibly supernatural event or haunting. Ostensive definition was coined by semitotician Umberto Eco, designating communicative events in which speakers substitute actions for words. (For example, putting a finger to the lips called for silence.) The term was then applied by Linda Dégh and Andrew Vazsonyi to refer to ways in which real-life actions are guided by legends.

Where to go legend tripping?
While the stories that attach to the sites of legend tripping vary from place to place, and sometimes contain a kernel of historical truth, there are a number of motifs and recurring themes in the legends and the sites. Abandoned buildings, remote bridges, tunnels, caves, rural roads, specific woods or other uninhabited (or semi-uninhabited) areas, and most importantly, cemetaries are frequent sites of legend-tripping pilgrimages.
Legend-tripping sites typically stand in relatively isolated and rural areas that are nevertheless easily reached by automobile, outside of major population centres. For the legend to propagate, first, the adolescent pilgrims must be able to get there and, secondly, the odds must be good that they will be alone when they arrive.
There are a number of literature sources for legend tripping information. Some places often associated with legend tripping here.

What to do while legend tripping?
Once the legend trippers arrive, they spend some part of the night there, and perform the ritual if one is prescribed as a means of daring and testing the evil spirit that haunts the place. The rituals are varied; in legend trips to cemeteries, there is usually a specific grave that the legend attaches to, and sometimes a tombstone that must be climbed, stepped on, sat on, or moved. As they retreat, they interpret any strange sounds, shadows, events, or dreams as evidence that the evil spirit has in fact been adequately tempted. Sometimes the grave is said to have the power to "heal" itself; if a legend tripper returns to the site, and the tombstone has been restored to its original position, the legend has been confirmed. Using ghost hunting experience and equipment can be quite helpful during the investigation.

If you do choose to go legend tripping, please observe these basic tips:
- NEVER GO ALONE. Stay in groups and never lose sight of one another. No one goes it alone.
- DO NOT TRESPASS. Contact the current owners or local representative in an effort to schedule your event and avoid trespassing. It is not cool to trespass and it is illegal. Always keep your ID on you do that you may verify your legitimacy.
- BE AWARE. Always keep an eye out. Watch your team, time, weather reports, temperature and surrounding. Hazards can come out of no where and you must keep on your toes.
- SHOW RESPECT. Show respect for your hosts, your team, the location and those legends or haunts that are said to be associated with them. The last thing you want to do is burn a bridge.
FURTHER TIPS AND GUIDELINES CAN BE FOUND UNDER GHOST HUNTING TIPS.

Have fun!
ParanormalUnknown

Bigfoot Basics

We feel it is safe to say that at some point or another we've all considered the possibility of Big Foot, or some other similar ape man, even if you only managed to indulge the idea just long enough to dismiss it entirely.

Who or What is Bigfoot?

Descriptions vary by region and eyewitnesses, but the bulk of reports describe the creature as a tall, hairy, ape-like man who walks on two legs and is a known carnivore. Female versions have been reported to be slightly shorted than the males with larger breasts.
Most Bigfoot accounts describe a Gorilla-like creature, but there have reports of creatures similar to chimpanzees (Humanzee or Manzee), Orangatangs (Yeren), and other variations. Some terms used to describe them include Yeti, Abominable Snowman, Sasquatch, Almas, Skunk Ape, and many other terms.

Where is Bigfoot?
If you follow the reports, it can seem as though Bigfoot is everywhere. To date, there have been reported sightings of an "ape man" or Bigfoot-type creature in all of Canada and every single state within the US, with the exception of Hawaii. The state of Washington holds the current US record for reported sightings at 437, the last of which was in September of 2007. The Canadian record is held by British Columbia at 102. Stories of Bigfoot-like sightings are not restricted to the US and Canada. There have been sightings in China, Brazil, Russia, Malaysia, and various other countries around the world.

Any real research into Bigfoot?
Similar to the legitimacy and professionalism of TAPS in the world of paranormal investigation, there are a number of organizations striving to legitimize claims of Bigfoot and collect evidence from a more skeptical perspective. Though most have failed to find enough valid proof to convice the world of Bigfoot being a reality, many people and Cryptozoologists have spent their lives dedicating their time, energy to this research and putting their reputations on the line in an effort to uncover evidence of what they believe to be an endangered species. There are several established organizations, like the BFRO, which conduct exhibitions into the suspected hunting grounds of these creatures looking for proof. Interested individuals range from people with firsthand experience to dedicated skeptics, and everyone in between.

More information coming soon, this is just a taste.
Things here at ParanormalUnknown have become quite busy, but we plan to get back to regular blog submissions soon!